attitude in the people with whom we interact. Self-disclosure consists of
properly communicating information about ourselves: how we think, feel
and react; of our problems, desires and projects, or of our lifestyle.
Although human beings are much more interested in themselves than in
their peers, others also want to know about us, about our thoughts, opinions,
interests, and way of being; of our work, our hobbies and our projects. And
they also want to know what we think and feel about them.
Generally, there comes a time when it is appropriate to show what we think
and feel, at least to some degree. If we never talk about ourselves, our
interlocutors will consider us mysterious people and, after a while, they will
tend to think that we are unreliable, that we are putting barriers in
communication or that we have nothing to say and will move away from us.
If we never talk about ourselves, others will feel uncomfortable or move
away.
Self- disclosure allows communication to flow. For example, if you are in a
meeting, talking to someone you have just met and ask: "Do you live near
here?,” If you just answer "yes" or "no,” you close the communication. On
the other hand, if you respond by communicating something more about
yourself, such as: "No, I live in such a place, near ...,” that additional
information you offer (self-disclosure) facilitates communication, by
allowing your interlocutor to make you knew questions, express opinions
about what you have said, etc.
As Smith points out, self-revelations include expressing our feelings. For
example, if a friend borrows the car from us, we can resist lending it and